Research about young adults leaving the church, by Ed Stetzer. More here: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/mainpage/0%2C1701%2CM%25253D200767%2C00.html

1. Faces of Young Adults ages 18-22: The Effect of Church Dropouts Spring 2007

8. Only one out of seven dropouts indicate twice-a-month attendance at a given age between 19 and 22 Q1a. At which of the following ages did you regularly attend church (by “regularly attend,” we mean attend at least twice a month for three or more months)? Base: Current Age >= Age asked about (n ranges from =1,023 at age 18 to 785 at age 22) Age 20 marks the largest difference between dropouts and those who stay *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

9. By age 23, the percent of dropouts attending again twice a month is growing, but it is declining among those who stayed Q1a. At which of the following ages did you regularly attend church (by “regularly attend,” we mean attend at least twice a month for three or more months)? Base: Current Age >= Age asked about (n ranges from =732 at age 23 to 465 at age 26) *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

10. More than one quarter of current attendees (29%) began attending their current church in preschool Q1c. At what age did you begin attending your current church? Base: S5=Currently attending (n=783) More of those who stayed in church started to attend this church after grade school More dropouts who attend today found their current church after Age 22 *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

11. Frequent church switchers are not common among young adults Q1b. How many different churches have you regularly attended since becoming a teenager (since turning 13)? Base: All (n=1,023) Number of different churches attended regularly since turning 13 *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

18. Because few dropouts return by age 22, dropouts indicate little participation compared to those who stayed Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

19. Compared to those who stay in church, half as many dropouts indicate they receive positive peer pressure to attend Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

20. Dropouts indicate they practice spiritual disciplines much less than those who stay in church Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

21. Half of dropouts say they received spiritual guidance and a real example from their family between ages 18-22 Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant Activity of family members and adults between ages 18-22*

26. Divergent views of their church’s beliefs and worship between ages 18-22 *Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree. All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023)

27. Divergent views of the atmosphere at their church between ages 18-22 *Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree. All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023)

30. Dropouts and those who stayed tend to have opposite impressions of church members between ages 18-22 Q8. Please indicate which of the following statements describe your impression of church members in general prior to turning 18 and which statements describe your impression through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,004) *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

31. Dropouts and those who stayed tend to have opposite impressions of church members between ages 18-22 Q8. Please indicate which of the following statements describe your impression of church members in general prior to turning 18 and which statements describe your impression through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,004) *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

33. Two thirds of ALL young adults who attended a Protestant church for at least a year in high school currently consider themselves Christian Q11. Which of the following statements best describes your current beliefs about God? Base: All (n=1,023)

34. Those who stayed in church through ages 18-22 are much more likely to have a strong faith in God today Q11. Which of the following statements best describes your current beliefs about God? Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

35. Current Marital Status Q15. What is your current marital status? Base: All (n=1,023) *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

36. Current Living Situation Q17. Please indicate your current living situation Base: All (n=1,023) Current living situation among young adults ages 18-30 *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding

37. Current Parent Status Q17b. Are you a parent? Base: All (n=1,023) Young adults ages 18-30 who are parents* *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant